The central objective of this course is to extend students’ grasp of the purpose and application of theoretical paradigms in international relations. Theories provide frameworks to understand the behaviour of actors in a complex and dynamic global environment. Distinct theoretical paradigms make central assumptions about primary factors that drive human action with implications for how we understand, explain, and predict issues and interactions in the international arena. Such factors range from scarcity and a drive for control (e.g., classical realism, neorealism, game theory); to a drive to cooperate for absolute gains (e.g., neoliberal institutionalism, liberalism), constructed identities based on historically-contingent meanings and values (e.g., constructivism), and unequal power relations that underpin a drive for autonomy, agency, and empowerment. (e.g., critical theories, feminist theory). The course teaches all theoretical paradigms with a focus on how they can be applied to better understand political issues and challenges in the contemporary global environment.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. identify and describe the main elements of the most significant theoretical approaches to the study of international relations;
2. recognise and interpret key texts that have shaped the development of international relations theory;
3. apply different theoretical approaches to the analysis of events in international affairs; and
4. critically appraise theoretical works in the field of international relations.

Additional Course Costs

There are no additional costs associated with this course.

Examination Material or equipment

Details about the material or equipment that is permitted in an examination room will be outlined during the semester and on the course’s Wattle site.

Required Resources

There are no assigned textbooks. Required and additional readings will be made available on the course’s Wattle page.

Recommended Resources

A large number of journals and periodicals exist that include the cutting edge developments of the discipline. Being familiar with these sources and surveying at least some of them regularly will assist you in this course.

American Political Science Review

American Journal of Political Science

Australian Journal of International Affairs

Chinese Journal of International Politics

Global Governance

Ethics and International Affairs

European Journal of International Relations

Foreign Affairs

International Affairs

International Organization

International Relations of Asia-Pacific

International Security

International Studies Perspectives

International Studies Quarterly

International Studies Review

Journal of Conflict Resolution

Journal of European Public Policy

Journal of Peace Research

Journal of Politics

Journal of Strategic Studies

Pacific Review

Perspectives of Politics

P.S. Political Science

Review of International Organizations

Review of International Political Economy

Review of International Studies Security Studies

Survival

Washington Quarterly

World Politics

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• Tutorials offer immediate feedback on students’ ideas and understanding of course materials during tutorials.
• Tutors are available to provide feedback on your research proposal and research essay (but cannot look at full drafts) prior to the research proposal and research essay due date.
• Examiners will provide written feedback on both the research proposal and the research essay via Turnitin.

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). The feedback given in these surveys is anonymous and provides the Colleges, University Education Committee and Academic Board with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement. The Surveys and Evaluation website provides more information on student surveys at ANU and reports on the feedback provided on ANU courses.

Other Information

The information provided is a preliminary Class Outline. A finalised version will be available on Wattle and will be accessible after enrolling in this course. All updates, changes and further information will be uploaded on the course Wattle site and will not be updated on Programs and Courses throughout the semester. Any questions or concerns should be directed to the Course Convenor.

Additional referencing requirements

It is a requirement of this course that your essay conform to academic writing standards and referencing. An in-text referencing style is strongly preferred. Both the Harvard referencing style and the Chicago Manual of Style (author-date) are acceptable. You may contact the ANU Academic Skills and Writing Centre for further advice. For details about the Harvard citation style please see the ANU style guide website at https://academicskills.anu.edu.au/resources/handouts/referencing-style-guides. 

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	The central objective of this course is to extend students’ grasp of the purpose and application of theoretical paradigms in international relations. Theories provide frameworks to understand the behaviour of actors in a complex and dynamic global environment. Distinct theoretical paradigms make central assumptions about primary factors that drive human action with implications for how we understand, explain, and predict issues and interactions in the international arena. Such factors range from scarcity and a drive for control (e.g., classical realism, neorealism, game theory); to a drive to cooperate for absolute gains (e.g., neoliberal institutionalism, liberalism), constructed identities based on historically-contingent meanings and values (e.g., constructivism), and unequal power relations that underpin a drive for autonomy, agency, and empowerment. (e.g., critical theories, feminist theory). Week-by-week the course delves into IR theoretical paradigms and analytical lenses with a focus on how they can be applied to understand political issues and challenges in the contemporary global environment including diplomacy, peacekeeping, nuclear non-proliferation, the rise of China and the shifting global order, multilateral negotiations on climate action. Check Wattle for breakdown.	Course assessment includes a major research essay that is preceded by a research proposal, as well as a final exam that covers the content of the entire course, and demonstrated comprehension of readings through participation in tutorial activity and discussion.

Tutorial Registration

Tutorial signup will occur at 10am on Monday 8 July 2019. Each tutorial session is filled up on a “first come, first served” basis. Be sure to attend only the session you sign up for. 

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
RESEARCH PROPOSAL (600 words)	10 %	26/08/2019	11/09/2019	1, 3, 4
RESEARCH ESSAY (2,800 words)	40 %	14/10/2019	30/10/2019	1, 2, 3, 4
EXAMINATION (2 hours)	40 %	01/01/9999	01/01/9999	1, 2, 3, 4
TUTORIAL PARTICIPATION	10 %	01/01/9999	01/01/9999	1, 2, 3

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines, which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Misconduct Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Special Assessment Consideration Policy and General Information 
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website. Students may choose not to submit assessment items through Turnitin. In this instance you will be required to submit, alongside the assessment item itself, hard copies of all references included in the assessment item.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Assessment Task 1

RESEARCH PROPOSAL (600 words)

Due date: 26 August 9am

Word limit: 600 words

Value: 10% of final grade

Estimated return date: 11 September

You will be required to write a research paper for this class. In order to facilitate the creation of the best possible research essay, you will write a proposal describing your proposed final research project. You must choose your topic and turn in a 600-word paper proposal by 9am, 26 August. The primary purpose of the proposal is for you to identify the issue or phenomenon of international relations you wish to research, and the precise research question that emerges from that. The proposal should address the significance of the question, outline the types of theories or analytical lenses you expect to apply, and indicate to what kind of academic or theoretical debate you expect to contribute. Note that no changes of paper topic will be accepted after the proposal has been submitted other than modifications suggested through grader feedback. 

Assessment rubric:

• Topic and research question (40%): The proposal identifies a relevant and suitable topic and clearly demonstrates why it constitutes an important concern in contemporary international relations. The proposal is further able to state with clarity the specific research question to be answered, which is appropriately linked to the motivating topic.
• Essay plan (40%): The proposal engages both with the course material, and with the student’s own independent research, to identify the types of theories or analytical lenses that will be used to answer the research question, and the contribution the essay will make to broader IR scholarship.
• Structure and presentation (20%): The proposal has clear sentences, is well structured, and paragraphs are clearly organised. The research is appropriate, sufficient and properly attributed through references, and footnotes, references, and bibliography are properly set out. The document has clearly been proof-read and drafted and contains no/few grammatical errors.

Assessment Task 2

RESEARCH ESSAY (2,800 words)

Due date: 14 October 9am

Word limit: 2, 800 words

Value: 40% of final grade

Estimated return date: 30 October

You will write a research essay on a topic of your choosing as described in your research proposal. This essay’s topic should seek to apply the various international relations theories discussed in this class (potentially extended by your own research) to empirical evidence, and explain the broader contribution to IR scholarship. 

Assessment rubric:

• Argument (40%): The essay appropriately employs international relations theory to build an argument that answers the research question.
• Research and evidence (30%): The quality, depth and appropriateness of the research, including the linking empirical evidence to the underlying theoretical argument, and proper attribution and referencing, and identified contribution to IR scholarship.
• Structure, persuasiveness and presentation (30%): Coherence, clarity and originality of the argument, presented with a clear structure and with minimal errors.

Assessment Task 3

EXAMINATION (2 hours)

Date: To be determined by the university roughly four weeks before the examination period

Value: 40% of final grade

Duration: 15-minute reading period and two hour writing time

This course’s final exam will be held during the ANU examination period. It is the College policy that all exams are blind marked and they are not returned to the students, nor are comments provided. You may contact the conveners within 30 working days of the release of results to learn your specific exam mark, or to request an appeal. The structure of the final exam will be discussed during lecture.

Assessment Task 4

TUTORIAL PARTICIPATION

Date: Eleven (11) tutorials will be run (no tutorials in Week 1)

Value: 10%

Tutorial participation marks will be based upon evidence of having done the assigned readings; evidence of having thought about the issues; contribution and participation in class; and consideration and respect for other class members. Tutorial questions will be posted on Wattle at least one week in advance of each tutorial to help guide thinking and the tutorial discussion. Please come prepared to share your own questions and thoughts about each week’s course materials, especially the readings, and to proactively participate in exchange of ideas with your tutor and fellow students.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of our culture as a community of scholars. At its heart, academic integrity is about behaving ethically. This means that all members of the community commit to honest and responsible scholarly practice and to upholding these values with respect and fairness. The Australian National University commits to embedding the values of academic integrity in our teaching and learning. We ensure that all members of our community understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. The ANU expects staff and students to uphold high standards of academic integrity and act ethically and honestly, to ensure the quality and value of the qualification that you will graduate with. The University has policies and procedures in place to promote academic integrity and manage academic misconduct. Visit the following Academic honesty & plagiarism website for more information about academic integrity and what the ANU considers academic misconduct. The ANU offers a number of services to assist students with their assignments, examinations, and other learning activities. The Academic Skills and Learning Centre offers a number of workshops and seminars that you may find useful for your studies.

Online Submission

You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) as submission must be through Turnitin.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.

Referencing Requirements

Accepted academic practice for referencing sources that you use in presentations can be found via the links on the Wattle site, under the file named “ANU and College Policies, Program Information, Student Support Services and Assessment”. Alternatively, you can seek help through the Students Learning Development website.

Returning Assignments

Students’ written work will be returned on Turnitin. 

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. The Course Convener may grant extensions for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Resubmission of Assignments

Online Submission: Assignments (the research proposal and essay) are submitted using Turnitin on the course Wattle site. You will be required to electronically sign a declaration of authorship as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records.

Students may not resubmit assignments.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Diversity and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents undergraduate and ANU College students
• PARSA supports and represents postgraduate and research students